Dexmedetomidine (dex-med-e-toh-med-een) hydrochloride
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about PRECEDEX and PRECEDEX READY TO USE
(collectively referred to as PRECEDEX in this leaflet unless stated otherwise). It
does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking
to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking
PRECEDEX against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What PRECEDEX is used for
Intensive Care Sedation
PRECEDEX can be used as a sedative (calming agent) if adults need to be calm or sleepy
in the Intensive Care Unit whilst they are being ventilated (on a breathing machine).
It may be given as an infusion up to 24 hours.
Procedural Sedation
PRECEDEX can be given to adults prior to an operation if they are not on a ventilator
(breathing machine) if it is required for the procedure or surgery that they be sleepy
and calm.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-2-receptor agonists.
This medicine works by its actions on brain chemicals.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
PRECEDEX is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given PRECEDEX
When you must not take it
Do not take PRECEDEX if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing dexmedetomidine hydrochloride
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 18 years.
Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 18 years have not been established.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives
or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
heart problems
high or low blood pressure
diabetes
kidney or liver problems
Elderly patients greater than 65 years old may be more prone to the blood pressure
lowering effects of PRECEDEX.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
The active ingredient in PRECEDEX may affect your developing baby if you take it during
pregnancy.
It also passes into breast milk and there is a possibility that your baby may be affected.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start
taking PRECEDEX.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food
shop.
Some medicines and PRECEDEX may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines used to produce calmness or to help you sleep, such as sevoflurane, isoflurane,
propofol, alfentanil and midazolam
strong pain relievers
These medicines may be affected by PRECEDEX or may affect how well it works. You may
need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or
avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take PRECEDEX
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How much to take
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition
and other factors such as your weight. The dose will be adjusted to keep you at the
right depth of sleep or sedation.
How it is given
PRECEDEX is given by a slow injection (drip) into a vein. PRECEDEX should only be
given by a doctor or nurse.
If you take too much (overdose)
As PRECEDEX is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely
that you will receive too much.
Symptoms of an overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, weakness
or becoming unconscious.
If you think you or someone else may have been given too much PRECEDEX, you should
immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are using PRECEDEX
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking
this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking
this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this
medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Things you must not do
Do not take PRECEDEX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how PRECEDEX affects you.
This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, drowsiness, and therefore
affect alertness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive,
operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. Ask your doctor when
you can return to work involving driving or operating machinery or heavy equipment.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get
up slowly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your
body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues
or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking PRECEDEX.
This medicine helps most people with sedation, but it may have unwanted side effects
in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious,
most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the
side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any
of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
dizziness
light-headedness
nausea and/or vomiting
high temperature
dry mouth
constipation or diarrhoea
feelings of agitation, confusion or tiredness
fluid retention or swelling in the arms or legs
changes in your blood sugar levels
increased sweating
changes to your vision
reduced or increased urine output or feeling thirsty
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually
mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
changes in heart rate including slowing or quickening of heart beat
shortness of breath, rapid breathing or breathing difficulties
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and
Emergency at your nearest hospital:
pressure, tightness or pain in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw
or back
unusual bruising
overheating of your body that you can't control by normal cooling methods
excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, lack of energy, confusion, muscle twitching or
spasms, restlessness, seizures
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention
or hospitalisation, and your medicine may need to be stopped.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After using PRECEDEX
Storage
PRECEDEX will be stored in the pharmacy or kept on the ward. They are kept in a cool
dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Product description
What it looks like
PRECEDEX (100 micrograms/mL) is a clear, colourless solution. It is available in 2
mL glass vials.
PRECEDEX READY TO USE (4 micrograms/mL) is a clear, colourless solution. It is available
in 20 mL glass vials and 50 mL and 100 mL glass bottles.
Ingredients
PRECEDEX (100 micrograms/mL) contains 118 micrograms/mL of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride
(equivalent to 100 micrograms/mL dexmedetomidine base) as the active ingredient.
It also contains:
sodium chloride
water for injections
PRECEDEX READY TO USE (4 micrograms/mL) contains 4.72 micrograms/mL of dexmedetomidine
hydrochloride (equivalent to 4 micrograms/mL dexmedetomidine base) as the active ingredient.
It also contains:
sodium chloride
water for injections
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo
dyes.
Supplier / Sponsor
PRECEDEX and PRECEDEX READY TO USE are supplied by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229
PRECEDEX (100 micrograms/mL) is available in the following form:
200 micrograms/2 mL
AUST R 81323
PRECEDEX READY TO USE (4 micrograms/mL) is available in the following forms:
80 micrograms/20 mL
AUST R 234022
200 micrograms/50 mL
AUST R 234023
400 micrograms/100 mL
AUST R 234024
PRECEDEX® is a registered trademark of Orion Corporation and is used under license.
® Reg TM Auth User.
© Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
This leaflet was prepared in April 2021.